March 2007
Vets gear up for Emerton-Court - By Jim Bray
TIVERTON'S veterans launch their Emerton-Court Trophy campaign with a
tough second-round, first-leg tie at Saunton's East course next Wednesday.
Tivvy
won Devon's knock-out tournament for over-60s in 2003 and were
runners-up in 2005, but are hoping for better success than last year
when they were eased out in their first game.
They lost to Dartmouth at the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off after the teams finished level at 5-5 after two legs.
The
Tiverton players, led by team manager Bob Keating, are under no
illusions about the difficulty of the task at Saunton as they are one
of the stronger sides in the competition.
Tivvy, who were given a
bye in the first round, take five pairs to North Devon and will hope to
build a good platform ahead of the home leg on Monday, April 30. They
will prepare with a squad practice at Saunton on Monday.
Likely squad of 12 for Saunton match (including two reserves):
Gerry Franklin (6), Ian Brierley (6), Derrick Barrett (9), Rod
Wiltshire (9), Mike Hurley (10), Ed Tansey (9), John Phripp (9), Roger
Tucker (11), Peter Stuckey (11), David Neilson (12), David Holland
(13), Lewis Woodgate (14).
Simon Waddington (4) comes into the top match to partner club general manager Richard Jessop (4), who is able to taste Palairet action for the first time after regaining his amateur status.
Nathan Whitehouse (5) is this time paired with teenager Jack Ridge (6) in a slimline combination while the Woodgates have been separated, with Kelvin (6) alongside Ben Wessely (6) and Matthew (7) reunited with Gerry Franklin (6), his debut-season partner last year.
Bob Tye (6) and Tony Allsopp (7) are rewarded for their efforts at RND with another run-out together while former junior captain Ollie Taylor (6) links up with James Lambden (8). Carl Skinner (11) and Rhys Cruse (12) are the reserves.
Sue Persey compiled an excellent score of 40 points on Wednesday to win the ladies' January Stableford, which had to be rearranged for this week due to the bad weather earlier in the year.
Persey saw her handicap cut from 14 to 13 after topping the Silver Division by six from Teresa Birchmore and Judy Phripp.
Anne Warne (37) won Bronze Division One on a countback from Carol Scott, with Ivy Radford third on 35 and Marian Stevens fourth on 33. Annie Straiton's 33 points allowed her to beat Janet Burgess on a countback in Bronze Division Two.
The ladies will play their Mail on Sunday third-round tie at home against East Devon on Good Friday, April 6 (11am).
Meanwhile, Joan Reed and her daughter Alison Kelland had an excellent result in the Daily Mail Foursomes when they won 2 up at Ilfracombe to move through to the second round.
Palairet booster - By Jim Bray
TIVERTON kicked off their Palairet Trophy preparations with an encouraging 4-2 victory away at Royal North Devon on Sunday.But their hopes have been dented by the news that new member Chris Audin will be unavailable for the start of the campaign.
Audin, an RAF air traffic control man who commutes from his Cullompton home to St Mawgan in Cornwall, has been called up for a four-month tour of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
The two-handicapper will therefore miss the meeting with either Yelverton or Elfordleigh on June 2 and, if Tivvy get through, the third round on July 1.
The former Exeter member was drafted in by the forces at late notice and is due to fly out to the Middle East on Tuesday - two days after partnering club champion Jim Bray (4) to a 2 and 1 victory over John Mounce (4) and David Lloyd (5) in the foursomes match against a patched-up RND side at Westward Ho!
Second Tiverton pair Nathan Whitehouse (5) and Ollie Taylor (6) suffered a 7 and 6 drubbing against Rob Ley (8) and John Baker (11) but Jason Frost (5) holed a spectacular 35-footer on the 18th to put Tiverton back in front.
Frost and Jack Ridge (6) were 5 up after five against Steve Cox (7) and Mark Reid (7) before finally shaking them off.
Winter Foursomes finalists Kelvin (6) and Matthew Woodgate (7) were 3 and 1 victors over Dave Miller (9) and Dave Copp (10) while Bob Tye (6) and Tony Allsopp (7) were only one over par at the time they eclipsed Ian Baker (12) and Bob Barter (13) 3 and 1 in a titanic tussle.
Youngster Rhys Cruse (12) gained some useful foursomes experience although he and veteran Gerry Franklin (6) went down 3 and 2 against Ted Tithecott (9) and Alan McKenzie (17).
Tiverton club captain Colin Hart has arranged six Palairet practice matches and they continue the series with another trip to North Devon on Saturday, this time at Saunton.
Squad for Saunton match: Tony Allsopp (7), Gerry Franklin (6), Richard Jessop (4), James Lambden (8), Jack Ridge (6), Ollie Taylor (6), Bob Tye (6), Simon Waddington (4), Ben Wessely (6), Nathan Whitehouse (5), Kelvin Woodgate (6), Matthew Woodgate (7).
Reserves: Carl Skinner (11), Rhys Cruse (12).
Tiverton's men were knocked out of the national Mail on Sunday tournament after a 3-2 loss at home to Teignmouth.
Andy Brice (5 and 4) and Peter Boax (4 and 3) were Tivvy's winners on Sunday but there were defeats for Mark Sangster, Steve Buchanan and Colin Carey.
Kelvin Woodgate and his son Matthew will go head to head with outsiders John Phillips and Ray McIntosh in the final of the men's Winter Foursomes this weekend.
The Woodgates were 3 up with three to play in their semi against Colin Taylor and Tony Lavery on Saturday afternoon before winning on the 18th.
The Wellington duo saw off Graham Dyson and Bill Tobin in the last 16 and Tim Waldron and Neil Carthew in the quarter-finals last weekend.
Taylor and Lavery reached the semis by defeating James Lambden and Nick Kelland 1 up on Saturday morning, having been 4 up with four to play.
Phillips and McIntosh secured their passage to the final by knocking out Ian Binding and 1994 champion Kevin Harper on Sunday.
In the quarter-finals, Phillips and McIntosh went through at the expense of Peter Stuckey and Gerry Franklin while Binding and Harper accounted for David Wright and Andy Brown.
The men contested their first friendly of the year against North Devon Police at RND on Wednesday and came away on the end of a 4½-3½ defeat.
There is a Texas Scramble to raise funds for the juniors on Saturday. Sunday brings a mixed match at East Devon and the juniors' Easter Trophy.
Doc's winning treatment - By Jim Bray
DAVID Grieve won the veterans' Duckworth Salver at Tiverton on Tuesday after the first tie in the competition's history.The salver is awarded to the player who returns the best aggregate score over three of the five stableford events held through the winter.
Grieve was joined on 111 points by Derrick Barrett, but the Scottish doctor was successful by virtue of his better fourth card.
Mike Hurley finished in third place on 106 on a countback from Rod Wiltshire, with veterans' captain David Green fifth on 99.
In Tuesday's competition, nine-handicapper Wiltshire headed the field on 37 points in front of Ian Maclure (36), Grieve (35), Hurley (35) and Gerry Franklin (34).
Sheila Ball posted 35 points in the Wednesday sunshine to secure a four-stroke victory over Carolyn Maynard in the ladies' March Stableford.
Ball was the only player of the 51 entrants to achieve a handicap reduction, from 20 to 19, while she also qualified for the Goodwin Trophy.
Results: Silver Division - 1 Sheila Ball (35); 2 Carolyn Maynard (31); 3 Sue Norris (30). Bronze Division One - 1 Ann Benson (30); 2 Pearl Harvey (30); 3 Shirley Ward (28). Bronze Division Two - 1 Jean Granger (29); 2 Jackie Fuller (27); 3 Beryl Walters (27).
The veterans start their extensive programme of friendlies with a trip to Taunton and Pickeridge on Monday and an away match at RND on Tuesday.
The ladies have a team practice on Monday and a progressive stableford competition on Wednesday.
Woodgates waltz on - By Jim Bray
KELVIN and Matthew Woodgate reached the
semi-finals of the men's Winter Foursomes at Tiverton Golf Club thanks
to a 2 and 1 win over new professional Tim Waldron and 2005 captain
Neil Carthew on Saturday.
The Wellington father and son, who have been paired together for the
first Palairet Trophy warm-up match at RND this Sunday, had overcome
Graham Dyson and Bill Tobin in the last 16 earlier in the day.
They will next meet either James Lambden and Nick Kelland or Colin
Taylor and Tony Lavery, who were due to play their last-eight tie this
Saturday morning.
In the bottom half of the draw, John Phillips and Ray McIntosh moved through at the expense of Peter Stuckey and Gerry Franklin.
In the semis they will go head to head with Ian Binding and Kevin Harper, who accounted for David Wright and Andy Brown.
The final will now be played on Sunday, April 1.
Semi-final draw: James
Lambden/Nick Kelland or Colin Taylor/Tony Lavery v Matthew
Woodgate/Kelvin Woodgate; John Phillips/Ray McIntosh v Ian
Binding/Kevin Harper.
Roger Norton compiled 41 points to win the men's March Midweek
Stableford last Monday, finishing two ahead of Mike Hurley, Shaun
Vickery and Alan Broom.
Scores: Division One - 1
Mike Hurley (39); 2 Shaun Vickery (39); 3 Martin Balment (38); 4 Ian
Maclure (37); 5 Edward Rayment (37); 6 Tony Bodgin (37).
Division Two - 1 Roger Norton (41); 2 Alan Broom (39); 3 Michael Boote (36); 4 Trevor Ellmore (35); 5 Geoff Bulley (35); 6 Tony Sykes (33).
Margaret Knowlman scored 24 points over 11 holes to win the ladies' Goldies competition on Wednesday.
Enid Harding (22) was second ahead of Maureen Williams (21), Joan Reed (21), Ivy Radford (19) and June Carver (19).
The Goldies format saw ladies receive an extra shot for each year they were over the age of 65.
There was also an 18-hole stableford off ¾ handicap for those
who wanted to play on, which was won by Sue Norris with 31 points. Ann
Franklin was second on 29 in front of Val Walker (28).
The veterans play the fifth and final round of the Duckworth Salver on
Tuesday while on Wednesday the ladies have a stableford and the men
contest their first friendly match of the year against North Devon
Police at Saunton.
As well as the climax of the Winter Foursomes and the Palairet practice
game at RND at the weekend, Sunday will see the juniors contest the
Green Headland Trophy.
Practice is the key, says captain - By Jim Bray
TIVERTON Golf Club captain Colin Hart picked up on a quote from the legendary Gary Player as he urged his men to adopt a 'practice makes perfect' attitude over the Palairet Trophy.Hart has kept close tabs on the team's fortunes in recent years and was stark in his belief that they need to practise more if they want to entertain thoughts of bringing Devon's top inter-club trophy to Tiverton for the first time.
The skipper has organised an unprecedented series of six warm-up matches against other Palairet squads, starting with an away clash against Royal North Devon on Sunday week, to get his side in tip-tip condition for the 2007 campaign.
"This will give us the chance to try out plenty of players and pairings and will give them an opportunity to pit their skills against top-class opposition at home and away," he said.
"My plan has been to prepare as well as possible, particularly in competitive practice, and then pick the best, committed players.
"After that the players have to try to turn out their best performance on the day. That's not always easy and you need a bit of luck but as Gary Player once said, 'the more I practise, the luckier I get'."
Hart has formed firm views on why Tiverton have underachieved over the past few seasons and as vice-captain last year he began seeking players' opinions on ways to improve their performance.
"I was pleased to learn there was an enormous amount of common ground - lack of continuity in the management of the squad, not enough foursomes golf, not enough very low handicap players, not enough competition on other courses and not enough practice, particularly in the short game," he said.
"The only aspect that has no short-term answer is the number of very low handicappers. Several of our juniors are making good progress but moving on to that next level takes massive commitment and the encouraging signs are that some are prepared to make it."
Hart organised three competitive short-game sessions at the end of last season and he said they underlined the value of practice in that area.
"I spent a day watching the semi-finals and final of the Palairet at Tiverton last year when Teignmouth won it for the third consecutive time," said Hart.
"True, their average team handicap is lower than a typical Tiverton side, but there is not much difference in the quality of ball-striking.
"They win on the superior quality of the short game, which is not surprising as most shots in a round of golf are played from 100 or so yards in."
Hart encouraged his players to enter open foursomes competitions during the winter, a policy he wants continued.
And a change in the format of the Winter League at Tiverton resulted in five extra foursomes events and the chance for potential Palairet players and pairings to stake their claim.
"This year's campaign started way back in June 2006," said Hart. "We have been building a good squad over several years and last year under the captaincy of Mark Sangster the team spirit and the feeling part of something important was very evident.
"The hard truth, though, is that it is some five years since we made any significant progress in this tough event.
"My part as captain is to build on the work already put into team-building and take it on to the next stage of winning more matches."
Hart has appointed vice-captain Peter Boax as his Palairet right-hand man in a bid to develop continuity while he will also draw on the experience of club and county stalwart Mike Jewell, general manager Richard Jessop and Tiverton's professional staff.
The return game against RND on May 6 will complete Tivvy's series of practices, following a double-header against Saunton, a home match with Torquay and a second trip in two years trip to Dawlish Warren.
The preparations will be rounded off by another competitive short game practice before the first-round showdown with either Elfordleigh or Yelverton on June 3.
Hart said he was pleased by the response of the players in signing up for the practice matches, for which all the club's single-figure handicappers, plus the most promising juniors, were invited to try for the squad.
"I made it clear in our first squad get-together last year that our squad this year would be based on our best talent who also show their commitment by taking advantage of the practice events," he said.
Hart is delighted to be able to call on the playing services of Jessop, who is now eligible after his professional status lapsed, and is also hoping to involve new member Chris Audin, a two-handicapper formerly at Exeter.
But Audin, who is in the RAF, has been put on standby for a four-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
"He knew he was on the list but several in front of him dropped out, so it has come up much quicker than he expected," said Hart.
"There is an outside chance he may not go just yet. If he goes soon we will just have to stay in it until he comes back!"
The captain said it would be 'foolhardy' to predict how his team might fare this year but added: "We have a very well balanced squad with a blend of experience and youth and the prospect is exciting."
Tiverton team for RND game next Sunday: 1 Chris Audin (2) and Jim Bray (4); 2 Nathan Whitehouse (5) and Ollie Taylor (6); 3 Jason Frost (5) and Jack Ridge (6); 4 Gerry Franklin (6) and Daniel Furlonger (6); 5 Kelvin Woodgate (6) and Matthew Woodgate (7); 6 Bob Tye (6) and Tony Allsopp (7).
Reserves: Ben Wessely (6), James Lambden (8) and Rhys Cruse (12).
Practice matches: Sunday, March 25 (11am) - away v RND; Saturday, March 31 (12.30pm) - away v Saunton; Sunday, April 15 (midday) - home v Torquay; Sunday, April 22 (9.30am) - home v Saunton; Sunday, April 29 (1pm) - away v Dawlish Warren; Sunday, May 6 (11am) - home v RND; Monday, May 21 (5pm) - 11-hole squad practice and meeting.
Gerry's Goblets magic - By Jim Bray
GERRY Franklin holed a crucial shot from about 120 yards to help he and
ladies' captain Chris Williams win the Mixed Goblets at Tiverton on
Sunday.At last the rain stayed away for the finals day and it was Franklin and Williams who were celebrating after a narrow victory over vice-captains Peter Boax and Gail Stuckey.
They reached the final thanks to Franklin's last-hole heroics in their morning semi against James Lambden and Jane Walton.
Going into the 11th 1 up, Franklin played a fine third shot from long range, and into the wind, that dramatically found its way into the cup for a nett two that rubber-stamped victory.
In a close final, Franklin and Williams again took glory on the last hole. They recovered from 1 down after eight against Boax and Stuckey to win the 9th and then the 11th to edge home.
Boax and Stuckey were due to meet Richard and Amanda Moyes in their morning semi but they were on holiday in the Balkans, so Peter Garnsworthy and Sheila Ball were called in and were defeated on the 9th.
In the afternoon, Lambden and Walton gained some consolation for their loss in the semis by winning the 11-hole mixed greensomes competition for those not involved in the final. They amassed 25 points to finish two ahead of Tony and Karen Allsopp.
Tiverton's ladies moved through to the third round of the Mail on Sunday knock-out competition thanks to a narrow 3-2 triumph over hosts Sidmouth on Friday.
Wins for Jo Lloyd-Davies (1 up), Sue Norris (4 and 3) and Phyllida Dunn (5 and 4) were enough for Tivvy while Val Walker and Carolyn Maynard, who recovered superbly from 5 down, took their East Devon opponents all the way before losing on the 18th.
The ladies' medal was called off last week due to a waterlogged course but the forecast suggests they should have better fortunes for their Goldies competition on Wednesday.
Former captain Neil Carthew and pro Tim Waldron hit back from three down to beat Phil Moulding and Lloyd Sampson in a roller coaster clash on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals of the men's Winter Foursomes.
They won five holes on the trot to go two up and then went one down after 16, but victories on the 17th and 18th saw them sneak through.
Club steward Colin Taylor and Tony Lavery thought they were out of the competition last week after they lost on the toss of a coin against Colin Baker and Jeremy Millett.
But Millett realised that, had they got through to the quarter-finals this weekend, he wouldn't have been available to play because he is on holiday in La Manga, and they subsequently reversed the result to give Taylor and Lavery a walkover.
Taylor and Lavery made the most of the situation by then beating Colin Carey and Ian Loudon on the 14th to book a quarter-final showdown against James Lambden and Nick Kelland, who overcame Andy Bolt and Mike Blackmore.
John Phillips and Ray McIntosh saw off club caterer Andy Lovell and pro David Curl and next face Peter Stuckey and Gerry Franklin, who had already progressed.
David Wright and Andy Brown caused a big upset by beating defending champions Peter Boax and Mark Sangster 2 and 1.
They next face Kevin Harper and Ian Binding, who put out Nick Conabeare and Gary Aitchison last week.
All the quarter-final matches must be played by Sunday, with the semi-finals and final both being contested the following weekend.
Quarter-final draw: James Lambden/Nick Kelland v Colin Taylor/Tony Lavery; Matthew Woodgate/Kelvin Woodgate or Graham Dyson/Bill Tobin v Tim Waldron/Neil Carthew; Peter Stuckey/Gerry Franklin v John Phillips/Ray McIntosh; Ian Binding/Kevin Harper v David Wright/Andy Brown.
Richard Jessop and John Sargeant notched 42 stableford points to win the fourball betterball competition for men not involved in the Winter Foursomes on Saturday.
Danny McArdle and John Court were second on 41 on a countback, beating out Ian Bray and Steve Hosford and fourth-placed Colin Baker and Dave Horn.
Tiverton will meet Teignmouth in the next round of the men's Mail on Sunday competition after overcoming Downes Crediton on the toss of a coin and a successful piece of football punditry.
Vets on a roll - By Jim Bray
GERRY Franklin and Peter Stuckey became the first pair to reach the quarter-finals of the men's Winter Foursomes at Tiverton Golf Club thanks to a victory over fellow veterans Derrick Barrett and Rod Wiltshire.The knock-out phase is at last taking shape after a rain-hit start, with the remaining seven second-round ties due to be played this weekend.
Colin Baker and Jeremy Millett were handed a first-round walkover by Colin Taylor and Tony Lavery on Saturday and will next face Colin Carey and Ian Loudon, who beat Chem Austin and Charlie Durnan 2 and 1.
Also in the top half of the draw, Graham Dyson and Bill Tobin accounted for Keith Williams and Lee Davey while Lloyd Sampson, partnering Phil Moulding, overcame his distant relation John Sampson and Roy Ireland.
David Wright and Andy Brown saw off Roger Norton and John Lyon in the only outstanding match in the bottom half.
Second round draw: Top half - Andy Bolt/Mike Blackmore v James Lambden/Nick Kelland; Colin Baker/Jeremy Millett v Colin Carey/Ian Loudon; Matthew Woodgate/Kelvin Woodgate v Graham Dyson/Bill Tobin; Phil Moulding/Lloyd Sampson v Tim Waldron/Neil Carthew.
Bottom half - Peter Stuckey/Gerry Franklin bt Derrick Barrett/Rod Wiltshire; Andy Lovell/David Curl v John Phillips/Ray McIntosh; Ian Binding/Kevin Harper v Nick Conabeare/Gary Aitchison; Peter Boax/Mark Sangster v David Wright/Andy Brown.
The weather jinx hit the Mixed Goblets once again on Sunday, as the semi-finals fell victim to persistent rain.
Organisers were yesterday hoping to get the go-ahead for both the semi-finals and final to be played this coming Sunday.
Peter Boax and Gail Stuckey come up against Richard and Amanda Moyes while James Lambden and Jane Walton take on Gerry Franklin and ladies' captain Chris Williams.